AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY


Territory summary

Population change

Population density

Centre of population

Statistical local area populations


TERRITORY SUMMARY

The estimated resident population of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) increased by 6,300 people in the 12 months to 30 June 2010 to reach 358,600. The annual growth rate of 1.8% was slightly higher than the ACT's average annual growth of 1.7% for the five years to June 2010.

The three northern SSDs experienced the largest population growth in 2009-10. The outer northern SSD of Gungahlin-Hall grew by 2,600 people, Belconnen SSD by 2,300 people and North Canberra SSD by 1,100 people. The population of the southern SSD of Tuggeranong decreased by 630 people.

For the third year in a row, the combined population of the northern SSDs (185,000 people) was greater than that of the combined southern SSDs (173,500).

POPULATION CHANGE

Growth in the ACT

In 2009-10, the three SLAs that grew the most in the ACT were in the northern suburbs of Canberra. Franklin, on the northern edge of Canberra, had the largest population increase (870 people), followed by Macgregor, on the western fringe of Belconnen SSD (800). The next largest increases were recorded for the SLAs of Forde and Harrison, also on the northern edge of Canberra (both up by 380), Belconnen Town Centre and Duntroon (both up by 300).

While the majority of population growth in 2009-10 was in the northern SLAs of the Gungahlin-Hall and Belconnen SSDs, there were also noticeable population increases in other SLAs in the ACT. Of the established suburbs, the population of Dickson increased by 5.6% over the year, followed by Lyons (4.5%).

SLAs WITH LARGEST POPULATION GROWTH, Australian Capital Territory
	ERP at 30 June	Population Change
	2010p	2009r-2010p
SLA	no.	no.	%
Franklin	1 700	870	100.6
Macgregor	4 700	800	20.7
Forde	820	380	88.7
Harrison	4 600	380	9.0
Belconnen Town Centre	3 800	300	8.6

Growth in the surrounding region

Population growth in New South Wales LGAs located on the borders of the ACT, from which many people commute to work in Canberra, continued in 2009-10. The population of Queanbeyan (C) increased by 810 people, Yass Valley (A) by 410 and Palerang (A) by 310.


Population decline in the ACT

While most SLAs in the ACT grew in 2009-10, about one-fifth experienced slight population decreases. Nearly three-quarters of these declining SLAs were located in Canberra's south. The largest population decrease occurred in the inner south SLA of Yarralumla (down 160 people) and the outer southern SLAs of Gordon (150 people), Calwell and Banks (both 100 people).

POPULATION DENSITY

The population density of the ACT at June 2010 was 150 people per square kilometre (sq km), the greatest of all states and territories. The population density of Canberra SD was 440 people per sq km, higher than all Australian capital cities combined (370).

The SLAs within Canberra SD with the highest population density at June 2010 were Palmerston (3,200 people per sq km), Braddon (2,900) and Amaroo (2,700).

In the 12 months to June 2010, the largest increases in population density within Canberra SD occurred in Franklin (up 380 people per sq km), Forde (up 200) and Macgregor (up 190). A number of SLAs within Canberra SD recorded a decrease in population density in this period. The largest decreases occurred in the southern SLAs of Banks (down 40 people per sq km), Gordon and Richardson (both down 30).

CENTRE OF POPULATION

The centre of population in the ACT at June 2010 was in the Royal Canberra Golf Course, in the suburb of Yarralumla. In the five years to June 2010, the centre moved about 0.7 kilometres north-north-east. This reflects population growth in the northern suburbs of Canberra, especially within Gungahlin-Hall SSD.

STATISTICAL LOCAL AREA POPULATIONS

For a full list of SLA populations see the Downloads tab.